Shaun Edwards Appointed to England Women Consultancy Role
Shaun Edwards has joined England Women in a short-term coaching consultancy role. He now works under head coach John Mitchell, according to a BBC Sport report. The move comes straight after Edwards left his post as France men’s defence coach, a job he held for six years. It is the first time in his career that Edwards has worked with any England side, men’s or women’s. That is a rare first for a coach of his standing. Edwards has built a career on defensive systems that stand up under pressure. That reputation is exactly what has brought him into this camp.
John Mitchell Confirms Edwards Joining Red Roses Coaching Set-Up
Mitchell confirmed the appointment and explained how the conversation began. “Since his time with France ended, we have had a conversation about our game, and he expressed an interest in working in an international women’s set-up for the first time,” Mitchell said.
He was clear about Edwards’ attitude to the role. “He has a huge amount of respect for the Red Roses and what we stand for; he sees it as a privilege to join our environment,” Mitchell said. Praise like that carries weight. Mitchell does not hand it out freely.
He also pointed to the record Edwards brings. “His coaching credentials are exceptional and his experience at the highest level of the game speaks for itself,” Mitchell said. Few working coaches in the sport can match that resume, and Mitchell knows it.
Coaching Experience and Tactical Boost for England Defence
Edwards arrives with a coaching record few in world rugby can match. He won 36 caps for Great Britain in rugby league before building his reputation in union with London Wasps. He then worked with Wales before a six-year stint with France, where he helped guide Les Bleus to three Six Nations titles. That is a serious body of work by any measure.
Despite all of that, Edwards has never previously coached an England men’s or women’s side. It makes this consultancy role genuinely notable. We covered Edwards’ previous move to France back in 2019. The shift in power it signalled at the time still resonates now that he has left that post behind.
Edwards himself has made clear he is weighing up his next full-time post while staying busy. “I’m definitely open to offers now, until I sort out a full-time role,” he said. He was just as direct about the pull of international duty. “I’m a proud Englishman and everybody loves to represent their country, don’t they? I’m no different,” he said. Few coaches speak with that kind of honesty in public. His three Six Nations titles with France came inside a six-year spell that reshaped how that side defended. It is the kind of record that explains why Mitchell wanted him involved.
Next Steps for Edwards and England Women Following Canada Draw
The timing of Edwards’ arrival follows a testing week for the Red Roses. England’s 39-Test winning streak came to an end last weekend when they were held to a 26-26 draw by Canada, their first dropped points in a remarkable run of results. That kind of result tends to sharpen minds inside a camp.
Mitchell singled out defence coach Sarah Hunter as the main beneficiary of having Edwards in camp. “Defensively, Sarah Hunter is relishing the opportunity to learn from him, alongside the rest of our coaching group, as we head into another exciting Test match against New Zealand,” Mitchell said.
No details of Edwards’ contract length or future involvement beyond this window have been confirmed. Wider questions over his next step remain open, and our piece on the RFU’s coaching options with Edwards covered some of that background before this consultancy was agreed. For now, attention turns to what he can add to Mitchell’s group as the Red Roses respond to the Canada result. It remains, for now, a short-term arrangement. The draw with Canada was a reminder that even a dominant run has limits. Mitchell’s group will hope Edwards can help tighten those details quickly.
